Missouri City Attempts to Thwart Westboro Baptist Church Protests

Posted on Mar 6, 2013

A St. Louis suburb has become the latest municipality to enact an ordinance geared toward ending hateful protests like the ones for which the controversial Westboro Baptist Church is known. The ordinance, unanimously passed by the Webster Groves City Council, bars protesters from picketing within 300 feet of a funeral or burial site during a service and right before and after one.

The Huffington Post:

Webster Groves is one of many communities attempting to thwart the offensive protests by groups like Westboro. In 2012, another St. Louis suburb—Manchester, Mo.—got an official ruling from the federal appeals court allowing the city to limit funeral protestors. In North Carolina, lawmakers passed legislation aimed at preventing funeral protestors in February.

Despite being known for its controversial protests, Westboro has failed in some of its recent demonstrations.

In December, the group announced plans to protest the vigils for victims of the Newtown tragedy, though the protest was ultimately blocked. The group mounted a protest during President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, but had a weak turnout and the protest failed.